Lid latch and switch operating mechanism

ABSTRACT

A control mechanism for a laundry machine includes a switch device responsive to the unlatching of a lid-mounted lid latch or to excessive unbalance vibrations for deenergizing the laundry machine. The control mechanism is further operable, upon unlatching and relatching of the lid latch following deenergization caused by the unbalance vibrations, for automatically resetting and then reenergizing the laundry machine.

United States Patent [1113,569,646

[72] Inventor Thomas R. Smith 2,882,360 4/1959 Sisson 200/61 .7

' Newton, Iowa 2,957,959 1960 Mellinger ZOO/61.76 [21] Appl. No. 847,202 3,260,813 8/1966 Dargene ZOO/61.64 22] Filed Aug. 4, 1969 3,272,935 9/ l 966 Beller et a1 ZOO/61.7 Patented Mar. 9, 1971 Prima E ry xammer-Robert K. Schaefer [73] A5519! The Mam Company Assistant Examiner-M. Ginsburg Almrneys -William G. Landwier and Richard L. Ward Newton, Iowa [54] LID LATCH AND SWITCH OPERATING MECHANISM 12 Claims, 7 Drawing Figs. [52] 0.8.01 ZOO/61.68 [51] Int.Cl H0lh3/20 FieldofSearch ZOO/61.62-

6l.84; ZOO/61.68

[ 56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,199,471 5/1940 Vacca ZOO/61.65

ABSTRACT: A control mechanism for a laundry machine in-' cludes a switch device responsive to the unlatching of a lidmounted lid latch or to excessive unbalance vibrations for deenergizing the laundry machine. The control mechanism is further operable, upon unlatching and relatching of the lid latch following deenergization caused by the unbalance vibrations, for automatically resetting and then reenergizing thelaundry machine.

LID LATQH AND SWITCH OPERATING MECISM BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1 FIELD OF THE INVENTION The instant invention relates to a control mechanism for a centrifugal extractor and more particularly to a latch-responsive and vibration-responsive switch mechanism for controlling energization of a centrifugal extractor.

2 DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART High speed centrifugal extractors, such as washing machines that are operable through spin-dry cycles of operation, are subject to vibration resulting from unbalanced loads. If during the spin-dry operation of a washing machine an extreme unbalance condition occurs because of an uneven distribution of clothes, the tub will gyrate or vibrate excessively. It is therefore necessary to provide an unbalance or vibrationresponsive switch for opening a circuit and effecting deenergization of the machine. The operator may then redistribute the clothes and restart the machine. The unbalance switch may also be combined with a lid-operated switch.

Prior art patents in this area of unbalance switches, or combination lid and unbalance switch mechanisms, indicate a continuing attempt at providing a simple, low cost, and yet dependable arrangement. In at least two prior art patents, Sission U.S. Pat. No. 2,882,360 and Mellinger U.S. Pat. No. 2,957,959 for example, a plunger member extends directly between the lid and a switch device with the switch device being effectively operated responsive to opening and closing of the lid. In Sission US. Pat. No. 2,882,360, the plunger is kicked out of alignment between the lid and the switch for actuating the switch in response to an unbalance condition. In the other patent, Mellinger US. Pat. No. 2,957,959, the switch device is itself moved away from the plunger responsive to an unbalance condition.

It is becoming more common to provide lid-latch mechanisms for preventing theoperator from reaching into the apparatus without first having to stop the machine or first having to unlock a lid latch. Lid-latch mechanisms up to this time have been provided as a device separate and independent from the lid and unbalance switch mechanism.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION a lid latch or upon occurrence ofan excessive unbalance vibration and further operable for reenergizing the extractor only after the reclosing of the lid and manual operation of the lid latch for latching the lid closed.

It is a still further object of the instant invention to provide a combination lid latch and unbalance control mechanism that is simple and low cost in construction yet positive and dependable in operation.

Briefly, the instant invention achieves these objects in a control mechanism that includes a switch member electrically connected in the circuit of a centrifugal extractor and operable for interrupting operation of the extractor upon actuation of the switch. A plunger is responsive to the lid latch operation and is associated with an actuator engageable with the switch member. The actuator is in turn responsive to closing of the latch for energizing the washing machine and to an opening of the latch or to an excessive unbalance vibration for operating the switch member to effect deenergization of the washing machine. The lid latch comprises a manually operable latch for interlocking the lid to the supporting structure and for engaging the plunger. Unlatching the lid latch following an excessive unbalance condition resets the mechanism for reenergization of the apparatus upon relatching of the lid latch.

Further objects, advantages and details of this invention will become evident as the description proceeds and from an examination of the accompanying two pages of drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention and in which similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a fragmentary view of a washing machine partially in section to show the control mechanism of the instant invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary top plan view of the control mechanism illustrated in FIG. 11;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 1 illustrating the control mechanism in an operative condition;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 1 illustrating the position of the control mechanism after encountering an excessive unbalance vibration;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary view, partially in section, of the I manually operable, lid-mounted latch means;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view of an alternate embodiment of the instant invention; and

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary view of the alternate embodiment as taken generally along line 7-7.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings, there is shown a fragmentary portion of a centrifugal extractor, such as employed in a vertical-axis clothes-washing machine. The extractor includes a nutationally supported tub 10 within which is journaled a rotatable clothes basket (not shown). The tub includes a tub cover 11 on which is fixed a bumper 14 that moves with the tub cover II. The position of the bumper I4 with respect to the cabinet 15 is determined by the maximum permissible gyration of the tub 10 when the extractor is energized. The entire machine is supported on a frame (not shown) and enclosed by the cabinet structure 15.

The cabinet structure includes a top cover 16 having an access I7 through which fabrics may be inserted or removed from the rotatable clothes basket. The access opening 17 is closed by an access cover panel or lid 19 pivotally operable for movement between open and closed positions. With the numeral 20 indicating the front of the machine, the lid 19 includes a handle construction adjacent the front of the machine for movement of the lid 19 between the open and closed positions. The handle construction 21 includes a housing 24 defining a handle 25 and hand recess26 next to the handle. The housing 24 also provides means for mounting the latch 27.

The latch 27 includes a latch member 29 and a latch actuator 30. The latch. member 29 comprises a rear portion 31 slidingly supported on the lid I9 by the handle housing 24, a pin portion 34 that extends forwardly from the sliding portion 31, and further comprises a cam follower portion 35 extending upwardly from the sliding portion 31 for a camming engagement with the latch actuator 30. The latch member 29 is slidingly operable between a first unlatched position, as shown in FIG. I in which the forvvardmost portion of the pin 34 is substantially flush with the edge of the lid 19, and a latched switch-actuating position, as shown in FIG. 3 in which the pin portion 34 extends beyond the edge of the lid 19 into an interlocking or interconnecting relationship with the top cover 16.

The latch actuator 30 includes an upwardly extending grip portion 36, a pair of shoulders 37 for slidingly supporting the latch actuator 30 on the handle construction 21, and a'lower portion defining a cam slot 39 as best shown in FIG. 5.

The latch actuator 30 is manually movable in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement of the latch member 29. It will be seen that as the latch actuator 30 is moved to the right when facing the machine, or in a downwardly direction as shown in FIG. 5, the cam slot 39 of the latch actuator 30 will move the latch member 29 in an axial direction toward the front of the machine, or to the left as shown in FIG. 5, as the cam follower portion 35 of the latch member 29 moves within the cam slot 39.

A control switch 44 and switch-operating operating mechanism 45 is also supported by the top cover 16 and enclosed thereby. The switch-operating mechanism 45 includes a plunger 46, engageable by the pin portion 34 of the latch member 29, and a switch actuator 47 mounted on the plunger 46 and engageable with the switch 44. The switch 44, plunger 46, and actuator 47 are mounted to the top cover 16 through a bracket 49. The left end of the bracket 49, as in FIG. 1, is attached to the top cover 16 by the angle bracket 50 and screw 51. The right end of the bracket .49 is attached by a pair of screws 54, as in FIG. 2, extending through the top cover wall 55 and engageable with a down-tumed flange 56. The bracket 49 also includes a second downwardly extending extending flange 57 at its right end for slidingly supporting the right end of the plunger 46 for engagement by the latch pin portion 34. A wall 59 of the bracket 49 adjacent its left end includes a horizontally elongated opening for slidingly supporting the left end of the plunger 46. The plunger 46 is therefore slidingly supported by the top cover 16 through the bracket 49 and is positionedfor engagement by the pin portion 34 of the latch member as it is moved into a latching position extending through the hole 60 in the top cover wall 55.

The right end of the plunger 46 is in the form of a projecting nose61 aligned with hole 60. The plunger 46 further includes, as seen in FIG 2, a pair of spaced-apart rails 64 joined at both ends. As best shown in FIG. 1, the left end of the plunger 46 includes a downwardly extending flange portion 65 engageable with the bracket wall 59. The plunger 46 also includes an undercarriage portion 66 for pivotally supporting the switch actuator member 47 on the plunger 46. The undercarriage portion 66 is integral with the plunger and defines a pivot slot 67, as best shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, for receiving the switch actuator member 47. g

The actuator member 47 is pivotally supported by the plunger undercarriage portion 66 and includes one end engageable with the bottom edge of the plunger rear flange portion 65 and also engageable with switch button 69. The actuator member 47 further includes a depending lever end portion 70 extending substantially downwardly from the pivot slot 67. The portion between the ends of the actuator member 47 will be referred to as the pivot portion and includes a pair of shoulders 71 facing toward the right as best shown in FIG. 2. The shoulders are engageable with abutments 74 on the plunger 46 that face toward the left. The actuator member 47 is therefore movable with the plunger 46 in the general direction of the plunger movement and also pivotally movable with respect to the plunger 46.

The depending lever portion 70 of the actuator member 47 is positioned for engagement by the bumper 14 responsive to excessive gyration of the tub 10. Whenever a predetermined unbalance condition causes the tub to excessively gyrate, the bumper 14 mounted on the tub 10 moves with the tub so as to engage the depending lever portion 70 and pivot the actuator member 47 in a counterclockwise direction. The end of the actuator member 47 is moved downwardly from the plunger flange 65 and the switch button 69. The position of the actuator member 47 after an unbalance actuation is shown in FIG. 4.

A biasing spring 75 is angularly disposed between the bracket 49 and the actuator member 47 and provides upwardly and axially directed components of biasing force. The upwardly directed component of force maintains the end of the actuator member 47 pivoted against the plunger flange 65 or against the lower side of the switch button 69 as will be more fully shown hereinafter. The axially directed component of force biases the actuator member 47 in a direction to maintain engagement of the shoulders 71 against the plunger abutmerits 74 and in turn also biases the plunger 46 in an axial direction for engagement of the flange 65 against the bracket wall 59 or for engagement of the plunger nose 61 with the pin portion 34 of latch member 29.

The switch 44 is attached to the bracket 49 by a pair of screws 76. The switch 44 includes a pair of connector terminals 77 by which the switch 44 may be connected into the circuitry of the extractor drive motor. In the instant embodiment, the switch 44 includes a pair of contacts operable to the open position upon the releasing of the switch button 69 for effecting deenergization of the motor. The switch button 69 is internally biased to the right so that, in the absence of an externally applied force toward the left, the button 69 willautomatically return to the normal position shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4.

Further details concerning the construction and operation of this switch and switch-operating mechanism may be found in US. Pat. No. 3,488,463 issued Jan. 6, 1970 to John C. Mellinger, and assigned to the assignee of the instant invention.

From the foregoing description, it is believed that the operation of the control mechanism of the instant invention is clear. When the operator manually actuates the latch 27 for unlatching the lid 19, the mechanism assumes a position as shown in FIG. 1. In this position, the pin 34 of latch member 29 is withdrawn into the lid 19, and the lid is unlatched. The plunger 46 has moved to the position in which the left end of the actuator member is against the flange 65 and aligned with the switch button 69 but spaced therefrom. With the control mechanism in this position, the motor is deenergized and the lid 19 is operable to an open position for the insertion or removal of fabrics.

When the operator has completed the loading, the lid 19 may be closed and the latch actuator 30 manually operated so that the latch member 29 is moved into an interlocking position with the top cover 16 and with the pin portion 34 engaging the nose portion 61 of the plunger 46. Upon continued movement of the latch member 29, the plunger 46 and the actuator member 47 move together toward the left to a position as shown in FIG. 3. In this position,the contacts of the switch 44 are closed and the circuit is completed across the terminals for energizing the motor. With the mechanism in this position, the lid 19 may not be opened without first operating the latch means 27 for deenergizing the apparatus and unlatching the lid 19.

If a condition of unbalance should occur during operation of the extractor while the lid 19 is in the closed and latched position and the switch-operating mechanism 45 is in the position as shown in FIG. 3, the tub 10 will gyrate and the bumper 14 will move toward the downwardly projecting lever portion 70 of the actuator member 47. Should the unbalance become excessive, the bumper 14 will engage and move the actuator member 70 in a counterclockwise direction to effect movement of the end of the actuator member 47 downwardly from the plunger flange 65 and out of alignment with the switch button 69. This action will allow the switch button 69 to move toward the right and effect opening of the switch contacts and deenergization of the apparatus. After the force of the gyrating tub is removed, the actuator member 47 will return in a clockwise direction so that the end of the actuator 47 is moved in an upwardly direction against the side of the switch button 69.

The apparatus cannot be reenergized until the control mechanism is reset. The resetting is accomplished automatically upon the unlatching of the latchmeans 27 by the operator. Movement of the latch member 29 to the right for unlatching the lid 19 releases the plunger 46 so that the plunger 46 and actuator member 47 move toward the right under the biasing force of the spring 75.

Thus when the operator observes that the machine has been stopped during the centrifugal extraction operation due to an unbalance, it is only necessary to unlatch and open the lid for rearranging the fabrics and then reclosing and relatching the lid to start the machine.

Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 7 there is shown an alternate embodiment of the instant invention including an additional locking feature. The view of FIG. fi corresponds to a fragmen latching the lid 19 in the closed position.- ln this embodiment,

however, means for locking the latch member 84 in the latched position is operative during predetermined portions of the cycle of operations of the apparatus.

in the embodiment of FlG. 6, pin portion 85 of the latch member M is formed with a recess $6 near the end extending into the top cover 16. A slider 87 includes a key slot 89 having an enlarged portion 90 that permits axial movement of the latch member through the key slot and a reduced portion 91 interlockingly engageable with the recess 86 to prevent axial movement of the latch member 84.

The slider 87 is mounted on a pair of pins 94 and movable on the pins 94 by a linkage 95. The linkage 95 may be in turn connected to a program-controlled solenoid (not shown) or to a timer mechanism (not shown) for actuation the slider 87 between the locking and unlocking positions during predetermined portions of the cycle of operations. During high speed operation of the extractor, for example, it is desirable to prevent the unlatching and opening of the lid 19 for reasons of safety.

it is therefore seen that the instant invention provides a unique combination of lid latch and switch-operating mechanism having an improved construction and including fewer components 'than required for the prior art devices in which separate systems are provided.

In the drawings and specification, there has been set forth a preferred embodiment of the invention and although specific terms are employed these are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. Changes in form and the proportion of parts, as well as the substitution of equivalents are contemplated, as circumstances may suggest or render expedient, without departing from the spirit or scope of this invention as defined in the following claims.

llclaim:

l. in an electrical apparatus, the combination comprising: supporting structure defining an access opening into said apparatus; panel means movably mounted on said supporting structure and operable between open and closed positions relative to said access opening; switch means operable from a first to a second electrical condition for energizing said apparatus; switch-operating means supported on said supporting structure and operable from a first to a second posture for operative engagement with and actuation of said switch means to said second electrical condition; manually operable latch means juxtaposed to said switch-operating means with said panel means in the closed position and operable for latching said panel means in said closed position and moving said swtich-operating means to said second posture to actuate said switch means to said second electrical condition whereby sequentially said panel means is latched in the closed position and energization of said apparatus is effected; and means for operativelydisengaging said switch-operating means from said switch means while said panel means is in the closed position to effect deenergization of said apparatus responsive to a con dition thereof.

2. in an electrical apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said switch means is mounted on said supporting structure and wherein said manually operable latch means is mounted on said panel means for alignment with said switch-operating means upon movement of said panel means to said closed position.

3. in an electrical apparatus as defined in claim ll wherein said manually operable latch means is mounted on said panel means and includes a latch member substantially aligned with said switch-operating means upon movement of said panel means to said closed position and wherein said manually operable latch means further includes means manually operable for moving said latch member into an interconnection with said supporting structure and into engagement with said switch operating means.

4. in a centrifugal extractor, the combination comprising: supporting structure defining an access opening into said cen trifugal extractor; panel means movably mounted on said structure and operable between open and closed positions relative to said access opening; switch means mounted on said structure and operable from a first to a second electrical condition for energizing said centrifugal extractor; switchoperating means-mounted on said structure for operative engagement with said switch means and movable from a first to a second posture for actuating said switch means to said second electrical condition; a latch member operable for interconnecting said supporting structure and said panel means to latch said panel means in said closed position and for engagement with said switch operating means; manually operable means for operating said latch member to sequentially latch said panel means in said closed position and to move said switch-operating means to said second posture for actuating said switch means to said second electrical condition whereby said panel means is latched in the closed position prior to energization of said centrifugal extractor; and means for operatively disengaging said switch-operating means from said switch means to effect deenergization of said centrifugal extractor responsive to an excessive vibration condition thereof while said panel means is in said closed position.

5. In a centrifugal extractor as defined in claim 4 wherein said latch. member is slidably mounted on said panel means and movable with said panel means to a position juxtaposed to said switchoperating means upon movement of said panel means to said closed position and engageable with said switch operating means upon operation of said manually operable means.

6. in a centrifugal extractor as defined in claim 5 and further including cam means interposed between said latch member and said manually operable means for moving said latch member into operative engagement with said switch-operating means to latch said panel means in the closed position and ac tuate said switch means to said second electrical condition.

7. In a centrifugal extractor as defined in claim 4 wherein said switch-operating means includes a plunger member slidably mounted on said supporting structure and wherein said latch member is slidably mounted on said panel means and alignable with said plunger member upon movement of said panel means to said closed position and wherein said latch member is extendable beyond said panelmeans into an interlocking relationship with said supporting structure for axially moving said plunger member and actuating said switch means.

8. In a centrifugal extractor as defined in claim 4 and further including means for locking said latchmember in the opera tive interconnecting position during predetermined portions of a cycle of operation of said extractor.

9. in combination, a supporting structure defining an access opening; an access cover movably mounted on said supporting structure and operable between open and closed positions; interlocking means mounted on said access cover and manually operable between a first unlocked posture in which said access cover is unlatched for selective movement to said open position and a second latched posture in which said access cover is latched in said closed position; switch means mounted on said supporting structure and operable between first and second electrical conditions; elongated plunger means slidably mounted on said supporting structure for engagement by said interlocking means and axially movable from a first biased position to a second operative position responsive to movement of said interlocking means to said latched posture; an actuator member movably supported by said plunger means and operatively engageable with said switch means for actuation thereof from said first electrical condition to said second electrical condition responsive to movement of said interlocking means to said latched posture and movement of said plunger means to said second operative position; and means for moving said actuator member out of operative engagement with said switch means to effect operation thereof to said first electrical condition while said interlocking means remains in said latched posture.

and further including locking means having a movable lock member operable in a first position for preventing operation of said interlocking means from said latched posture.

12. In a combination of the character described in claim 10 and further including locking means having a movable lock member engageable with said latch member for preventing movement of said latch member from its latched position. 

1. In an electrical apparatus, the combination comprising: supporting structure defining an access opening into said apparatus; panel means movably mounted on said supporting structure and operable between open and closed positions relative to said access opening; switch means operable from a first to a second electrical condition for energizing said apparatus; switch-operating means supported on said supporting structure and operable from a first to a second posture for operative engagement witH and actuation of said switch means to said second electrical condition; manually operable latch means juxtaposed to said switch-operating means with said panel means in the closed position and operable for latching said panel means in said closed position and moving said swtich-operating means to said second posture to actuate said switch means to said second electrical condition whereby sequentially said panel means is latched in the closed position and energization of said apparatus is effected; and means for operatively disengaging said switchoperating means from said switch means while said panel means is in the closed position to effect deenergization of said apparatus responsive to a condition thereof.
 2. In an electrical apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said switch means is mounted on said supporting structure and wherein said manually operable latch means is mounted on said panel means for alignment with said switch-operating means upon movement of said panel means to said closed position.
 3. In an electrical apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said manually operable latch means is mounted on said panel means and includes a latch member substantially aligned with said switch-operating means upon movement of said panel means to said closed position and wherein said manually operable latch means further includes means manually operable for moving said latch member into an interconnection with said supporting structure and into engagement with said switch operating means.
 4. In a centrifugal extractor, the combination comprising: supporting structure defining an access opening into said centrifugal extractor; panel means movably mounted on said structure and operable between open and closed positions relative to said access opening; switch means mounted on said structure and operable from a first to a second electrical condition for energizing said centrifugal extractor; switch-operating means mounted on said structure for operative engagement with said switch means and movable from a first to a second posture for actuating said switch means to said second electrical condition; a latch member operable for interconnecting said supporting structure and said panel means to latch said panel means in said closed position and for engagement with said switch operating means; manually operable means for operating said latch member to sequentially latch said panel means in said closed position and to move said switch-operating means to said second posture for actuating said switch means to said second electrical condition whereby said panel means is latched in the closed position prior to energization of said centrifugal extractor; and means for operatively disengaging said switch-operating means from said switch means to effect deenergization of said centrifugal extractor responsive to an excessive vibration condition thereof while said panel means is in said closed position.
 5. In a centrifugal extractor as defined in claim 4 wherein said latch member is slidably mounted on said panel means and movable with said panel means to a position juxtaposed to said switch-operating means upon movement of said panel means to said closed position and engageable with said switch operating means upon operation of said manually operable means.
 6. In a centrifugal extractor as defined in claim 5 and further including cam means interposed between said latch member and said manually operable means for moving said latch member into operative engagement with said switch-operating means to latch said panel means in the closed position and actuate said switch means to said second electrical condition.
 7. In a centrifugal extractor as defined in claim 4 wherein said switch-operating means includes a plunger member slidably mounted on said supporting structure and wherein said latch member is slidably mounted on said panel means and alignable with said plunger member upon movement of said panel means to said closed position and wherein said latch member is extendable beyond Said panel means into an interlocking relationship with said supporting structure for axially moving said plunger member and actuating said switch means.
 8. In a centrifugal extractor as defined in claim 4 and further including means for locking said latch member in the operative interconnecting position during predetermined portions of a cycle of operation of said extractor.
 9. In combination, a supporting structure defining an access opening; an access cover movably mounted on said supporting structure and operable between open and closed positions; interlocking means mounted on said access cover and manually operable between a first unlocked posture in which said access cover is unlatched for selective movement to said open position and a second latched posture in which said access cover is latched in said closed position; switch means mounted on said supporting structure and operable between first and second electrical conditions; elongated plunger means slidably mounted on said supporting structure for engagement by said interlocking means and axially movable from a first biased position to a second operative position responsive to movement of said interlocking means to said latched posture; an actuator member movably supported by said plunger means and operatively engageable with said switch means for actuation thereof from said first electrical condition to said second electrical condition responsive to movement of said interlocking means to said latched posture and movement of said plunger means to said second operative position; and means for moving said actuator member out of operative engagement with said switch means to effect operation thereof to said first electrical condition while said interlocking means remains in said latched posture.
 10. In a combination of the character described in claim 9 wherein said interlocking means includes a latch member slidingly mounted on said access cover and engageable with said elongated plunger means and wherein said interlocking means further includes manually operable means for moving said latch member to effect latching of said access cover in said closed position and to effect actuation of said switch means to said second electrical condition.
 11. In a combination of the character described in claim 9 and further including locking means having a movable lock member operable in a first position for preventing operation of said interlocking means from said latched posture.
 12. In a combination of the character described in claim 10 and further including locking means having a movable lock member engageable with said latch member for preventing movement of said latch member from its latched position. 